Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Airbus Updates No.3439

United Airlines orders 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft

Herndon, Virginia, 29 June 2021 - United Airlines has placed an order for 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft, positioning the airline to grow its presence in the single-aisle market in alignment with its “United Next” initiative. The new order complements existing orders from United for 50 A321XLR aircraft, bringing the total commitment from the airline to 120 A321 aircraft.

“Such a significant order from a great airline like United underscores that the A321neo offers unmatched capabilities, operating economics, and passenger friendliness,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. “No other aircraft can do what the A321neo can do, and the Airbus team is most gratified by United’s strong affirmation of its premium status. The A321neo will complement United’s future A321XLR aircraft, together creating a privileged segment on its own.”

Another reason the A321neo is in such high demand globally is that the aircraft provides superior environmental performance with the lowest CO₂ emissions per seat in its class. The A321neo’s lower carbon footprint will support United along its journey to reduce the airline’s CO₂ emissions 100% by 2050.

United’s A321neo aircraft will feature Airbus’ Airspace cabin design, which brings the following passenger-pleasing enhancements: unique welcome and customizable hero lighting (which helps reduce jet lag); new slimmer sidewall panels for extra personal space at shoulder level; better views through the windows with their redesigned bezels and completely integrated window shades; the latest full LED lighting technologies; the largest overhead bin in class; and new lavatories with hygienic touchless features and antimicrobial surfaces.

A significant number of the newly-ordered aircraft will be produced at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama. Globally, as of the end of May 2021, the A320neo Family had achieved 7,400 firm orders from 121 customers.

Monday, 28 June 2021

Airbus Updates No.3438

SCOOT BECOMES LATEST AIRBUS A321NEO OPERATOR.

On 28 June, Scoot became the latest A321neo-operator conducting its first commercial flight with 9V-NCA (10229). This particular A321neo was delivered to Singapore on 28 May 2021 and is leased via BOC Aviation. Two more have since then joined but are currently being prepared for entry into service.

Scoot is expecting a total of sixteen A321neos, ten leased and six ordered directly with Airbus. The type is configured in an all-Economy lay-out that can seat up to 236 passengers.

Airbus Updates No.3437

SCOOT BECOMES LATEST AIRBUS A321NEO OPERATOR

Scoot is expecting a total of sixteen A321neos, ten leased and six ordered directly with Airbus. The type is configured in an all-Economy lay-out that can seat up to 236 passengers.

Airbus Updates No.3436

Nigeria’s Azman Air Set To Finally Start Airbus A340-600 Operations

Nigeria’s Azman Air has been given the tick of approval to fly its sole Airbus A340-600 on international flights. After a series of recent demonstration flights, Nigeria’s safety regulator cleared the plane to fly. Following a turbulent year, the approval is a welcome win for Azman Air.

azman-air-airbus-a340-resumption — Nigeria’s aviation safety regulator has certified Azman Air’s A340 to fly international sectors. Azman Air via Twitter

Azman Air’s flawless A340-600 demonstration flights

In early 2020, Simple Flying reported Azman Air picked up a former Virgin Atlantic A340-600. The plane had flown for Virgin Atlantic since 2006 as G-VYOU. The Airbus came to Azman Air as 2-EALJ but later in 2020 was re-registered as 5N-AAM. The big Airbus was a strategic shift for Azman Air. The remainder of the airline’s fleet comprises Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 aircraft.

Azman Air planned to use the A340-600 to operate international flights. To date, the airline has stuck to flights within Nigeria. But Azman planned to get a second Airbus and was talking about flights to Dubai, Jeddah, and China. That was easier said than done, with the airline needing approval from safety regulators to start operating international flights

According to an online post by Azman Air, Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority has approved Azman Air to operate international flights using its A340-600.

“Azman Air has been proclaimed as the Newest International Carrier in Nigerian Aviation Industry by the representatives of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority after successfully demonstrated its dexterity in the SAFE operation of Airbus A340-600 in accordance to Global Aviation Standard,” the post reads.

Nigerian airline makes a comeback following a two-month grounding

Azman Air is one of many airlines in Nigeria attempting to get some traction amid the travel downturn. The airline has been flying since 2010 but suspended its flights in March, citing a safety audit from regulators.

At the time, it was unclear what sparked the grounding. But by May, the picture was clearer. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended Azman Air in mid-March after three incidents involving the undercarriage on Azman’s Boeing 737s.

The NCAA said Azman was experiencing a significant number of undercarriage incidents. Some slack maintenance and reporting exacerbated this.

“On Monday 15th March 2021, Azman Air flight AZM 2318, operated with a Boeing 737-500 aircraft with registration 5N-YMS, departed Kaduna for Lagos,” an NCAA media statement reads in relation to one incident.

“The Captain reported a loud bang after retracting the landing gear during take-off but decided to proceed to Lagos as all parameters were normal.

“The aircraft landed Lagos and taxied to its parking stand when ATC informed the Captain of the burst tyres as reported by the Airport Fire Service.”

But by early May, the NCAA had lifted the flight ban and Azman Air was back in business. The grounding didn’t help Amzan’s plans with its A340. The airline’s social media postings indicate it was a long road to A340 certification.

Azman Air flies multiple A340 demonstration flights

For much of June, planning was underway for a marathon demonstration flight. On June 14 the first A340 demonstration flights departed Azman Air’s Kano (KAN) base for Dakar (DKR) via Nairobi (NBO). The 12 hour flight was a success. A few days later, the A340-600 flew back to Kano on a second demonstration flight.

But the African flights were only a warm-up for the long-haul demonstration flights between Kano and Nassau (NAS) on June 23. The 13-hour non-stop flight went off without a hitch. After a three day layover in Nassau, 5N-AAM headed back to Kano on June 26. It was enough to convince the NCAA Azman Air’s A340 had the capabilities to safely fly international long-haul.

Azman Air’s A340-600 is good to go. But 2021 is a lousy year for long-haul flying. Where, and when, Azman Air decides to send it big Airbus is worth keeping an eye on.

Airbus Updates No.3435

airBaltic’s Airbus A220 Fleet Is Now 27 Strong

Riga International Airport (RIX)-based airBaltic has today welcomed home its 27th Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The aircraft arrived fast on the heels of the Airlines 26th Airbus A220, which came last month and is the latest of seven A220s expected to be delivered to airBaltic in 2021.

airBaltic A220 — airBaltic has ordered 50 Airbus A220s. Photo: airBaltic

With the registration number YL-ABA, the aircraft is just one of 50 A220-300 Aircraft ordered from the Airbus Mirabel Plant in Quebec, Canada. However, in a statement, the all-Airbus A220-300 airline was keen to point out that besides the 50 it has on order with the European planemaker, it also has an option for an additional 30 planes.

airBaltic flying high before COVID-19

Before the COVID-19 pandemic decimated global aviation, airBaltic was seen as one of the rising stars of the airline industry. airBaltic had a game plan, and it was sticking to it by building a thriving home hub at Riga International Airport and additional satellite hubs at Tallinn Airport (TLL) and Vilnius International Airport (VNO) in the other two Baltic States.

airBaltic was one of the first airlines to select the former Bombardier CSeries aircraft for its fleet. airBaltic knew that by only flying one type of aircraft, it would be able to keep training and maintenance costs down- a strategy popular among low-cost carriers. airBaltic also decided to fly to Mediterranean summer holiday destinations while at the same time expanding its global footprint with some intelligent codesharing deals.

The restart will come after vaccinations

In the spring of 2020, the Latvian government decided to halt all international flying for 62 days, effectively grounding all of the airBaltic Airbus A220-200s. When speaking on the aviation website Flight24s AVTalk podcast earlier this year about COVID-19 and the future, airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss said:

“Exactly a year ago, we came to the week where we had to stop flying completely, and one year later, we’re at the lowest possible level, ensuring basic connectivity but flying very little. And we’re now waiting for the real restart, which will come when sufficient vaccine levels have been reached in Europe.” adding, “After one year we’re here, we’ve made it, and we’re in a good strong position.”

When speaking about the decision to go with an all-Airbus A220-300 fleet Gauss thinks it is one of the smarter things they did, saying:

“That strategy change has changed our business going forward because it happened three years earlier than it would have. We have only seen improvements because everything we wanted to reach three years later we have already reached when we started again last year in May.”

Gauss continued by saying that the aircraft works perfectly for its operations, making things easier. “Everybody is trained for that aircraft type. It has so many benefits for our customers and for our operations. If we could, we would have taken this step earlier even, knowing what we know now.”

What is important for airBaltic now is to take advantage of people going on vacation this summer and hopefully get its growth plan back on track. Gauss believes that the Airbus A220-300 is the ideal aircraft for airBaltic and how it wants to develop as an airline.

Simple Flying’s content manager Tom Boon flew up to Riga to check out airBaltics A220-300, and you can read about what he thought of the plane by clicking on the link. So far, I don’t think we have come across anything negative being said about the A220-300.

Airbus Updates No.3434

China Begins Equipping Airbus A320 Fuselages In Tianjin

This week, one of Airbus’ suppliers in China began equipping Airbus A320 fuselages. By 2024, Xi’an Aircraft International will complete six fuselages per month, fully meeting the needs of Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin. The manufacturer said this further demonstrates its commitment towards vertical integration of its production in China.

Airbus Tianjin fuselage — This week saw the beginning of A320 fuselage equipping in Tianjin, China. Photo: Getty Images

First delivery in Q3 2021

On Tuesday this week, Airbus and China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) launched their joint fuselage equipping project for the Airbus A320. The project, located in the province of Tianjin in North China or Huabei, was first initiated over two years ago.

Locally, it is undertaken by Xi’an Aircraft International (XAT), one of the close to 100 subsidiaries of state-owned AVIC. The aim is to supply Airbus’ A320 Final Assembly Line Asia and to accelerate Tianjin as the center for the manufacturer in China.

The first delivery of the Tianjin fuselage is scheduled for the third quarter of this year. Production capacity is intended to reach six fuselages per month in 2024. XAT will then fully meet the demand for the Tianjin final assembly line.

“The project is a new milestone in China-Europe cooperation and a further step forward of Airbus’ localization and vertical integration here in China,” Michel Tran Van, Chief Operating Officer of Airbus China, told China.org.

Mr Tran Van further added that the project was a testament to the manufacturing capabilities of the Chinese aviation sector. He also said it demonstrated Airbus’ long-term commitment to China.

Long-standing partnership

Overall, Airbus employs about 200 subcontractors in China, and its industrial annual spending in the country reached $1 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, the European planemaker has already been working with XAT since 2009 for the production of single-aisle aircraft wings. When commenting on the fuselage equipping, Ma Yan, President of XAT, told China Daily that,

“Since the signing of the contract in 2019, XAT quickly set up a fuselage development team, and together with Airbus’ German and French fuselage teams, we prepared a network plan for the development of the project, specifying more than 100 key process control nodes.”

Airbus A320 Air China — The Tianjin FAL has already delivered 540 A320 family aircraft across Asia. Photo: Airbus

Tianjin part of Airbus market majority

The manufacturer opened its first final assembly line outside of Europe in Tianjin in 2008 as a joint venture between Airbus, Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ), and AVIC. In October last year, the facility completed its 500th A320. The milestone aircraft was delivered to China Southern Airlines. The Guangzhou-based carrier currently operates over 290 aircraft of the Airbus A320 family.

Currently, Airbus holds 53% of the market share in China. However, with challengers such as the homegrown COMAC C919 narrowbody set to acquire certification this year, that could very well change over the coming decades.

Airbus Updates No.3433

Lufthansa To Remove 5 Airbus A340-600s From Desert Storage

Lufthansa is set to begin reactivating its Airbus A340-600 fleet. Next summer, the airline will remove at least five of its grounded aircraft from storage to allow it to up its first class offering from the airline’s Munich hub.

Lufthansa, Airbus A340, Return — Lufthansa is set to remove five Airbus A340-600 aircraft from desert storage. Photo: Getty Images

Around a year ago, Lufthansa flew its entire fleet of Airbus A340-600 aircraft to Teruel, a Spanish aircraft storage facility also housing most of the airline’s Airbus A380 aircraft. While many had assumed that the fate of the four-engine single-deck jets had been sealed, Lufthansa has now revealed that this is not the case.

At least five aircraft will be back

According to Lufthansa, it will reactivate at least five Airbus A340-600 aircraft to allow it to offer first class on more routes from its Munich hub. Currently, the airline only offers a first class cabin on the Airbus A340-600, Airbus A380, and Boeing 747. It seems the slightly smaller A340-600 was preferable to the Airbus A380 in this case. The A340-600 was a hit with customers, known for its toilet section in the cargo hold.

According to Lufthansa, these five aircraft will return to service in Summer 2022, meaning we still have quite a wait until we see them gracing the skies again. The airline intends to operate the jets on flights to North America and Asia. But, of course, much can change in a year, and we could still see this decision moved forward, back, or canceled altogether.

The move comes as a surprise given how damning Lufthansa had been on the type’s future. The airline has always maintained that the aircraft it has not permanently retired, such as the A340 fleet, could be brought back into service if there was exceptional demand. In January, the Lufthansa Group CEO, Carsten Spohr, revealed,

“We took the A340-600 out and we don’t plan to bring them back into the air.”

Lufthansa sent 17 Airbus A340-600 aircraft to Teruel in Spain for long-term storage. The airline is currently in the process of selling 12 of these aircraft, which is why just five will return to service for the time being. These aircraft will be sold at a later date.

To be replaced by the Airbus A350?

At the start of the month, a Lufthansa spokesperson revealed to Simple Flying that if the A340 did come back, it would be on a limited basis. The airline expects to receive its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft featuring a first class cabin in summer 2023.

These will be based in Munich and will seemingly replace the existing Airbus A340 fleet as they are delivered. If the airline wishes to increase its first class capacity in the meantime, the only option seems to be cabin refits of existing aircraft or the return of the Airbus A380.

Sunday, 27 June 2021

Airbus Updates No.3432

Airbus A321	-253NX	10211	B-323N	Spring Airlines	delivery 25-26jun21 XFW-NQZ-PVG	ex D-AZAO
Airbus A321	-272NX	10347	B-323Q	Air China	delivery 25-26jun21 XFW-OVB-CTU	ex D-AZAA
Airbus A321	-253NX	10358	B-323S	China Southern	delivery 25-26jun21 XFW-NQZ-CAN	ex D-AVZJ
Airbus A321	-271NXLR	10446	N4048J	jetBlue	delivery 25jun21 XFW-JFK	ex D-AVWQ
Airbus A330	-343	908	9H-SMA	smartLynx Airlines Malta	onward delivery 24/26jun21 BHX-MLA-CHR, all white	ex TC-OCS
Airbus A330	-343	937	9H-SMC	smartLynx Airlines Malta	seen regd at BHX 25jun21, all white	ex OE-INJ
Airbus A350	-941	282	N575DZ	Delta Air Lines	regd 22jun21 prior delivery ex VCV	ex PR-XTK
Airbus A350	-941	363	PR-XTM	Latam Brasil	ferried 24jun21 GRU-VCV on return to lessor	ex F-WZGW
Airbus A350	-1041	424	B-LXN	Cathay Pacific	delivery 26-27jun21 TLS-DWC-HKG	ex F-WZNP
Airbus A350	-941	472	9V-SJB	Singapore Airlines	delivery 25jun21 TLS-SIN	ex F-WZFL
Airbus A350	-1041	482	F-HTOO	Air Caraïbes Atlantique	onward delivery 22jun21 BOD-ORY	ex F-WZNI
Airbus A350	-941	499	SE-RSF	SAS	delivery 23jun21 TLS-CPH	ex F-WZGQ
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55121	YL-ABA	airBaltic	delivery 25jun21 YMX-RIX	ex C-FOWQ
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55122	C-GUPG	Air Canada	delivery 25jun2 YMX-YYZ

Airbus Updates No.3431

Airbus A319	-112	1592	3B-NBF	Air Mauritius	ferried 25-26jun21 MRU-NBO-CAI-EGBP (+ 1936 3B-NBH)	ex D-AVYX
Airbus A319	-111	2184	G-EZEH	easyJet	ferried 15jun21 QLA-DGX for teardown, G-reg canx 22jun21	ex HB-JZF
Airbus A320	-212	528	9H-AMB	Avion Express Malta	ferried 21/23jun21 VNO-LDE-VNO	ex LY-COM
Airbus A320	-232	2459	N124GL	Genesis Lease	ferried 24-25jun21 ICN-CTS-ANC-MZJ, new reg res 23jun21	ex HL7738
Airbus A320	-214	2665	5B-DDL	Tus Airways	delivery 25jun21 MLA-LCA, full cs	e 9H-AEN
Airbus A320	-214	4574	N289NV	Allegiant Air	delivery 23-24jun21 CGK-MNL-GUM-HNL-OMT-MLB, RP-reg	ex RP-C3263
Airbus A320	-214	4649	VQ-BIV	Aeroflot	ferried 23jun21 DME-OSR on return to lessor	ex F-WWDP
Airbus A320	-232	5291	VT-IFC	IndiGo Airlines	ferried 24jun21 DEL-SAW prior return to lessor (+ 5262 VT-IFB 15jun21 DEL-AUH)	ex D-AXAO
Airbus A320	-251N	7939	N7939	AerCap	ferried 23jun21 GYR-AMA, for paint prior delivery to Fly Play	ex XA-JOE
Airbus A320	-214	9292	VQ-BOH	SmartAvia	delivery 25jun21 MZJ-MIA	ex HK5335
Airbus A320	-251N	9460	B-322N	Capital Airlines	delivery 25-26jun21 TLS-NQZ-PEK	ex F-WWDI
Airbus A320	-251N	10040	B-323A	China Eastern	delivery 25jun21 TSN-PVG	ex B-000E
Airbus A320	-251N	10079	SX-CHG	Sky Express	delivery 26jun21 TLS-ATH	ex F-WWIQ
Airbus A320	-251N	10362	B-324H	Air China	delivery 25-26jun21 XFW-OVB-CTU	ex F-WWTQ
Airbus A320	-271N	10413	VQ-BYT	S7 Airlines	delivery 24jun21 TLS-DME	ex F-WWTR
Airbus A320	-271N	10450	N939NK	Spirit Airlines	delivery 25jun21 BFM-DTW	ex F-WZMK
Airbus A321	-232	1850	B-MAP	Air Macau	ferried 22-24jun21 MFM-NRT-GDX-ANC-GYR on return to lessor	ex D-AVZX
Airbus A321	-211	1972	VP-CCH	Aviation Capital Group	ferried 24jun21 BHX-KEF-PSM-TPA, for freighter conversion	ex G-TCDV
Airbus A321	-211	3098	UR-WRX	Windrose Air	air-test at LFBF 16jun21 in partial cs, F-reg prior delivery	ex F-GTAO
Airbus A321	-231	6201	XA-VBQ	VivaAeroBus	first in svc 24jun21 MTY-CUN-MTY	ex N425AC

credit : Skyliner Aviation News

Saturday, 26 June 2021

Airbus Updates No.3430

Indian Air Force confirms plans to acquire Air India A320s

23.06.2021 - 22:37 UTC

The Indian Air Force (IFC, Delhi Int'l) plans to significantly expand its airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capabilities through the addition of six ex-Air India A320-200s and possibly more modified E145s, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria told technology news website Ele Times.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a state-run defence company, announced plans to acquire and convert six of Air India's aircraft in December 2020. At that time, the project was estimated to require NR105 billion rupees (USD1.4 billion) in funding. However, even though more than half a year have passed since the initial announcement, the transaction has yet to be finalised and the aircraft inducted into conversion.

However, Bhadauria said that even as the six Airbus aircraft would significantly expand the Indian Air Force's AEW&C capabilities, they would still not suffice in light of growing tensions with China.

It is unclear how many additional E145s the DRDO and the Indian Air Force is planning to add. Bhadauria also did not explain whether the military would seek to order the aircraft directly from the manufacturer or source them from the second-hand market.

India's current AEW&C fleet comprises three EMB-145SMs as its AEW&C platform, although only two are deployed in active service and one remains used as a testbed. The three Embraer regional jets were acquired by the air force directly from the manufacturer and delivered in 2012 (two) and 2015 (one), the ch-aviation fleets advanced module. The air force also has one Il-76A-50EI for electronic warfare.

Air India owns nineteen A320-200s, of which just four remain in service (alongside five units of the type dry leased from CALC).

Airbus Updates No.3429

Five Airbus A320neos sustained minor damage due to thunderstorm and strong winds at Ahemdabad Airport

Three A320neos of IndiGo, with registration VT-ITD, VT- IVO, and VT-IVQ, whereas two A320neos of Go First, previously known as GoAir, were damaged in the incident. The Go First’s A320neos were registered as VT-WGV and VT-WJG.

The airlines have pulled these A320neos out of service for repairs and checks before returning them to service. In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said:

“Ahmedabad airport was hit by an unexpected thunderstorm with extremely high winds last evening. This impacted all airlines’ aircraft parked at Ahmedabad airport. Three IndiGo aircraft sustained minor/non-structural damages which will require replacement of certain parts.”

Wednesday, 23 June 2021

Airbus Updates No.3428

Airbus A321	-253NXLR	10264	EI-LRF	Aer Lingus	delivery 22jun21 XFW-DUB	ex D-AVYL
Airbus A321	-252NX	10270	B-58205	Starlux Airlines	delivery 23-24jun21 XFW-DWC-TPE	ex D-AYAW
Airbus A321	-271NX	10294	B-MBS	Air Macau	delivery 23-24jun21 XFW-DXB-MFM, regd F-WTAJ	ex D-AVXE
Airbus A321	-253NX	10511	N433AN	American Airlines	delivery 22jun21 BFM-TUL	ex F-WZMM
Airbus A330	-343	954	9H-SME	smartLynx Airlines Malta	delivery 20jun21 BHX-MLA	ex OE-INC
Airbus A330	-243	1210	EC-NOE	Aura Airlines	regd OE-ISS 21jun21 prior delivery ex MZJ	ex N618AC
Airbus A330	-302	1361	VP-BUM	Nordwind Airlines	delivery 22jun21 ISL-SVO	ex M-ABLV
Airbus A330	-343	1403	HB-JHN	Swiss International	ferried 22jun21 AMM-ZRH after storage	ex F-WWYI
Airbus A330	-343	1545	B-LBF	Cathay Pacific	ferried 18jun21 HKG-XMN, Cathay Dragon cs	ex F-WWCV
Airbus A340	-213	151	5A-ONE	EACS	posn / in svc 20/22jun21 ISL-MJI-SXF	ex HZ-WBT4
Airbus A350	-941	64	PR-XTF	Latam Brasil	ferried 21jun21 GRU-VCV on return to lessor	x A7-AMB
Airbus A350	-941	437	VP-BXC	Aeroflot	delivery18jun21 TLS-SVO	ex F-WZGO
Airbus A350	-941	499	SE-RSF	SAS	delivery 23jun21 TLS-CPH	ex F-WZGQ
Airbus A350	-941	502	F-HTYK	Air France	delivery 18jun21 TLS-CDG	ex F-WZFC
Airbus A380	-842	22	VH-OQC	Qantas	ferried 20jun21 LAX-AUH after storage	ex F-WWSR
Airbus A380	-861	199	A6-APH	Etihad Airways	ferried 23jun21 AUH-LETL for onward storage	ex F-WWSS